Help me choose- Dream or Wish

[Meem93]

My first Disney cruise was on the wish in Nov 2022 with my husband and we had a great time and really didn’t have issues.

We have since sailed the fantasy with our at the time 13 month old and loved it. My husband says it was better than the wish for him. I’m unsure. My son loved the Nemo splash pad and Andy’s room toddler time.

We have also sailed the magic when my son was 19 months. We had a great time but I was underwhelmed with the toddler areas (lame splash pad and nursery underwhelming). We both agreed we would do the magic again if it worked out, but wouldn’t pick it for a toddler.

We are looking to book another when my son will be newly 2. We are leaning towards the wish again because we want to try it with a toddler and now that we have other DCL experiences. I think my son will love the Toy Story splash pad and the nursery looks more exciting than the other ones visually. Plus, he will love toddler time in the captain Mickey and Minnie’s area.

I have a goal to sail on all ships, but the dream is almost identical to the fantasy, which we loved, but I was thinking of trying the wish again since it’s been a few years.

The dream is cheaper but not a ton, and we are looking at similar itineraries. We have been to both islands and are happy going back to either.

What is drawing me to the wish is- trying it again after we have others to compare, we just did the fantasy in Dec 2024 so I don’t necessarily want to eat the same restaurants a year later, and the kids theming and offerings for my toddler seem better on the wish.

If you’ve read this far- thanks! Please give me your feedback!

 

[sponica]

For me it comes down to which port is easier to get to...my first cruise was on the dream, and I have fond memories of the Dream....but FLL is a harder airport for me to fly into whereas MCO is a nonstop from the airport 15 minutes away from my house.

Book the ship you want to sail on, your kiddo is still young enough to not "know" what he's missing out on.

 

[CamColt]

It's sounds to me you are leaning toward the Wish, so I'd say do that. I would personally choose the Dream as I prefer that ship but you know what both are like and if your top priority is your son, it sounds like you think he would enjoy the Wish more.

 

[Dug720]

so I don’t necessarily want to eat the same restaurants a year later,

My question whenever I read comments like these (not just on DCL boards) is this: Do you not eat out at home? Or are there enough restaurants that you never eat at the same one twice?

I know personally my repeats at home are FAR more frequent than my repeats on a cruise. Certainly more frequent than once every year.

As to which one...I haven't been on the Wish yet. I was slated on the Dream (and then changed to the Magic) for later this month, but changed to the Wish after my parents went on her and talked about how beautiful she is. I'm cautiously hopeful...I'm much more a Classic/Dream Class girl just in terms of the overall design I've seen. But I'm willing to give her a chance.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

In your scenario I would do the Wish. I think the kids stuff would be better. The only challenges I would have against that is the Beauty and the Beast show is considered one of the best DCL shows. Also your goal of doing each ship. This would tick that off the list. But having not been on the Wish since November 2022 is also a factor in going back to that class of ship that you all seemed to like. We haven’t been on the Wish since September 2022 and are going back at the end of August and we can’t wait. We canceled a September Magic cruise when Disney release the Visa card promotion. We had also sailed on the Magic earlier in May

Either way you all will have a great time

 

[Meem93]

My question whenever I read comments like these (not just on DCL boards) is this: Do you not eat out at home? Or are there enough restaurants that you never eat at the same one twice?

I know personally my repeats at home are FAR more frequent than my repeats on a cruise. Certainly more frequent than once every year.

As to which one...I haven't been on the Wish yet. I was slated on the Dream (and then changed to the Magic) for later this month, but changed to the Wish after my parents went on her and talked about how beautiful she is. I'm cautiously hopeful...I'm much more a Classic/Dream Class girl just in terms of the overall design I've seen. But I'm willing to give her a chance.

Good point- we do have our favorites at home we eat at frequently. I guess I just think the dining would be more entertaining for my son on the wish with the dinner show and the marvel theme. Plus, I didn't LOVE the fantasy dining. No complaints, but not a huge draw for me vs the magic's dining rooms were a draw.

I thought the wish was beautiful when I sailed on her!

 

[sponica]

Good point- we do have our favorites at home we eat at frequently. I guess I just think the dining would be more entertaining for my son on the wish with the dinner show and the marvel theme. Plus, I didn't LOVE the fantasy dining. No complaints, but not a huge draw for me vs the magic's dining rooms were a draw.

I thought the wish was beautiful when I sailed on her!

My kids (3 and 7 at the time) HATED the Marvel restaurant, it's very loud and the story was just too intense for them. My youngest loved when Spidey ran through the restaurant though. They liked Frozen and were entertained enough by their coloring books/kids menu in 1923.